Present the character education trait of cooperation by sharing Dabi with children.

Dabi is the story of a donkey who doesn't understand why it is necessary to be stubborn. Everyday he sees his parents and the other donkeys in the barnyard get pulled and tugged by the farmer because they won't go to work. To Dabi this makes no sense--especially since they always end up going to work anyway. As Dabi grows up, he eagerly looks forward to the day when he can pull the farmer's daughter's cart. However, when the time comes he is faced with a dilemma. He wants to pull the cart, and that is all right with his parents, as long as he acts stubborn and doesn't go willingly with the farmer. This doesn't seem right to Dabi. He doesn't understand why he should upset the farmer over something he really wants to do. As the farmer approaches Dabi, he faces the dilemma of following a pattern of stubbornness set down by donkeys through the ages or going against tradition and cooperating. As Dabi's story comes to an end, students are involved in an activity that allows them to select the choice they believe Dabi will make. Following the activity, the story is concluded based on their decision. Also included are discussion questions and reproducible follow-up activities.

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TOPIC: Character education and cooperation

INCLUDES: Story, discussion questions, reproducible follow-up activities

GRADE LEVELS:1-3/AGES: 6-8

FOR USE WITH: Individuals, small groups, classrooms

AUTHOR: Arden Martenz

RECOMMENDED FOR: Elementary school counselors, elementary teachers, youth group leaders, parents

8 1/2 x 11, 32 pages, black and white illustrations, paperback, 2001